A Life-Changing Experience in Tanzania Past Review
By Laura G (English/Religion, Wartburg College) for
Wartburg College Diers Program: Tanzania - Community Service based at SEKOMU University
Yes. My time in Tanzania has reaffirmed my call to ministry as well as given me a broader view of the world and myself.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There weren't many outside resources, and some of the teachers didn't know much English and were unable to answer a lot of my questions. The tests and quizzes were very simple and did not prepare me for the final exam very well. However, the learning atmosphere was relaxed and I enjoyed the chance to get to know each teacher that I had. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
The quantity of food was more than plentiful and made up for the lack of variety (due to the lack of resources) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Any of the village visits that I went on with Pastor Hafermann had their own memorable moments. They were definitely my favorite part of this entire program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The school grounds are safe but I was told to never walk around at night alone, or even during the day, away from campus. If I was going to travel into town, I always had someone with me. However, I do not recall ever feeling unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent very little on food and most of money went towards souvenirs and offering during worship (which was less than $20 in total). I spent $500 on souvenirs. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | When traveling to different places within the country and you see something you'd really like, buy it. It was hard for me to spend money at first but then I came to realize that the opportunity for me to travel back to Tanzania may not come for many years, or may not come at all, so I made sure to get the things that I really wanted (and wanted for my friends and family as well). |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I did not take any courses in Swahili prior to going to Tanzania. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Everyday interactions with the teachers and other students, as well as the people that I traveled with and the villagers that I met. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Make sure that you are okay with the unknown and living in conditions that are less than what you have in the United States, but if you are excited for adventures and for your life to be changed, than this program is for you. |
